Personality stereotype of noninstitutionalized Down syndrome children
Gibbs, M.V.; Thorpe, J.G.
American Journal of Mental Deficiency 87(6): 601-605
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9351 PMID: 6223525 Document Number: 210976
A modified version of the Sonoma Check List was used to rate 98 noninstitutionalized mentally retarded children. Half of them had Downs syndrome. The other half comprised a control group. A high proportion of nonCaucasian children were included in the sample. The classic personality stereotype of the Downs syndrome child as affectionate and outgoing emerged. Adjectives (23) chosen from the list differentiated the 2 groups. The personality stereotype was unaffected by the race or sex of the child. Apparently, there is some objective basis to the stereotype.